Zimbabwe stand-off: UN chief warns AU on credibility

Sharm El Sheikh- Egypt (PANA) -- The United Nations has warned the credibility of the African Union (AU) is at stake unless it helps to urgently resolve the cris i s facing Zimbabwe, the PANA reports from here.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro said on Tuesday the UN was ready to support efforts to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe, where the US i s planning to impose sanctions and was keen on a political solution to the crisi s .
"The UN is ready to work with the regional players to ensure they get the humani tarian support and address the problems facing them, especially the inflation.
I t is important an urgent solution is found," Migiro told a news conference.
She was speaking after launching a report, jointly with the African Union (AU) C hairman Jakaya Kikwete, on efforts needed to overcome absolute poverty in Africa .
The UN said at least US$ 72 billion was required annually to support Africa's ad vances against poverty, noting that the programmes implemented so far to counter poverty showed there was potential to achieve the development goals.
She said Africa needed to resolve the crisis in Zimbabwe, which she noted was a threat to the credibility of the organisation.
The UN official urged the leaders' meeting to discuss the crisis in Zimbabwe to "get their act together" and resolve the crisis in the South African country.
According to Migiro, the position of the UN, regarding the run-off elections in Zimbabwe was known.
"The Secretary-General has pronounced on the conditions preceding the runoff.
We know the conditions could not allow anybody to come up with a clear and credibl e outcome.
There is need to address the political stand-off," Migiro said.